We’ve finished up a bunch of samples made with Berroco Wizard, which I’ll be sharing in the next few days …. they’re turning out soooooo beautifully, it’s definitely my favourite new yarn of the year! Wizard is super soft, light, airy, colourful, and slightly textured – perfect for the process and the product knitter in us all! Plus it;s machine washable, so it’s open season for kids & baby knits, sockies & etc. I just finished Malou in it, and I’m already planning to cast on for a second in a different colour. Nuff said?
Bente is a super soft & squishy mosaic stitch blanket made using one color of Wizard. It also works up relatively quickly on 8mm/US11 needles. The painterly colour effects come from working from two balls simultaneously (don’t worry, it’s easy). Our kits are available in both a throw size and a baby blanket size (see modifications below), since the yarn is machine washable.
Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner (after scarves). (Mosaic stitch is an extremely easy form of colour knitting and only involves slipping stitches from the left needle to the right.
Skills: Knit, slipping stitches, following a pattern, alternating balls of yarn (carrying yarn up the side/stripes)
Berroco Wizard is a super soft, light & happy bulky weight yarn. It stripes by itself, with bold colors flowing. It has a chainette construction which makes it feel deliciously airy and weightless. The consruction is also respinsible for it’s very generous 240m yardage – the same amount of a typical bulky weight yarn would normally be about 100m to 125m. Wizard is also machine washable, so it’s great for all kinds of projects including blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, mitts – even a cozy pair of -slipper-socks!
Galatee is simple and classic, let the color change of the yarn do all the work. I really like this sweater, the yarn is thick and knits up quickly, but it’s allso light and full of air, so it doesn’t FEEL like a thick, heavy yarn. I don’t normally wear bulky yarns, they’re a bit too warm and feel a little ungainly for my taste, but this one I’m into, and this sweater I LOVE (thanks to Adrienne for making up our sample).
Our sample (above) is knit in colour 3825 Catskill, Berroco’s sample is made with 3811 Appalachian.
Construction
Galatee is knit in the round from the bottom-up. The body and sleeves are worked in the round to underarms, then joined to work the yoke in the round. The neck is shaped using short rows.
Note
This sweater is designed cropped. Check the length to see if it is right for you, and if you are in the size 46″, 50″, 62″, 66″ range consider ordering an extra ball of yarn if you want to make your sweater longer.
We went up a needle size to get gauge (we used 7mm/US10.75 & 9mm/US13). If your dashes aren’t looking right then you may also need to change needle sizes too.
Recommended ease: approximately 2–6″ / 5–15 cm positive ease.
Gauge: 12 sts and 16 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St st on larger needle
Yarn
Berroco Dash is a fluffy chainette yarn that’s super soft and light. Painted with random but uniform “dashes” of color throughout, this bulky weight yarn is all squishy, soft fun.
92% Superwash Merino Wool, 8% Nylon
Super Bulky Weight
9mm to 10mm/US13 to 15 needles
Made in Italy
Hand wash in cold water. Lay flat to dry.
Kit Includes
Berroco Dash: (3, 4, 4) [4, 4, 5, 5] {5, 5, 6} (our sample is knit in colour 3825 Catskill, Berroco’s sample is 3811 Appalachian)
This yarn is a special-order product and we aren’t stocking it in the store on a regular basis – you have the option to order it any time (it will be available to purchase as long as the manufacturer makes it available to us). Your order will ship or be available for pick-up once it arrives, and we will contact you. If you need your yarn for a specific date please let us know and we can find out if it’s feasible.
I’m needed by my family this weekend for an 80th birthday party, followed by my sister-in-law’s departure for her first academic conference (we’re so proud of her!), so I’m taking an extra day off this Saturday. The last weekend of the summer is not traditionally a busy one in the yarn store, so I don’t think you’ll miss me too, too much. I adore it when you come by, but I also love it when people are out taking advantage of beautiful weather and just enjoying life.
Friday: 12 pm to 6 pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 12 pm to 6 pm
My current reading suggestion is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. You can read it on paper, digitally download it, or get it as an audiobook (which is read by the author), so you can knit/crochet/wash dishes/walk/run/get your nails done while you read. It is also accompanied by a chapter-by-chapter podcast with Oprah (stream free online or on any podcast service, including Spotify), so you can test the water and see if it’s for you, and if it is, you can read along with the author, lady-O, and regular people asking really good questions. I feel kind of silly having come so late to the Tolle party (especially after seeing Oprah’s podcast was recorded in early 2019), but I guess I wasn’t ready. Now that I’m here I see exactly why Oprah has been such a fan. Tolle isn’t just talking about spiritual life, he’s talking about LIFE (or to the point, spiritual life IS life).
If you’re at a place where you want to change yourself, your life and our world for the better, this book is a great point of reference to help you level up. Just one caveat – people who are negative and aren’t ready to leave that state won’t get this book (and judging by the reviews online it seems to make them really angry). If you have a negative person in your life, giving them this book won’t ‘fix’ them – they have to be open to healing themselves. People who aren’t quite ready, but are getting there, might read a chapter or two but it won’t stick, it’ll sort of go through them – if this is you or a loved one it’s a good sign, hold on to the book, it’ll be there for you when it’s needed next. Anyway, the best books are always the ones you can read over and over and get something new from each time.
Effortless Cardigan
Get your fall off to a great start with a simple cardie you can wear everywhere, all the time. The Effortless Cardigan is made with a simple worsted weight yarn and ONE pair of 4.5mm – 32″ circular needles. It’s knit from the top-down in one piece (the underside of the sleeves are seamed, but if you prefer you can knit them in the round). The pattern is free, and there are a range of affordable yarn options, so if you end up loving your sweater you can keep making them and fill your wardrobe!
Finished Bust (not including front bands) 34 (38.5, 42, 45.5, 49.5)” in.” or (86.5 (98, 106.5, 115.5, 125.5) cm)
Yarn Options
Berroco Vintage: Super soft, machine washable, blend of wool & synthetic. ($10.47 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
Drops Air: Cozy and light – super soft baby alpaca blown in an airy nylon core. ($10.97 ea) – 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) balls
Cascade 220 Superwash: Soft, machine washable, 100% Peruvian wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($13.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
Berroco Summer Sesame: Great for warm climates … light, machine-washable, colourful and slightly textured (go up a size in the pattern). SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97) – 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) balls
Cascade 220 Superwash Merino: Super soft, machine washable, 100% Merino wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($15.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
Malabrigo Rios: Super soft, hand-dyed, machine washable, 100% Merino wool. We suggest alternating skeins to get the best colour distribution. ($23.97 ea) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
Our SUMMER SALEis ending Sept 5th! Select products (including some clearance items and craft kits!) are now 25% OFF. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).
Our SUMMER SALECONTINUES! Select products (including some clearance items and craft kits!) are now 25% OFF until September 5th, 11:59pm. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).
I came across these sunny hand towels a few times and felt like they were full of YUP! They’re a good size, 22″ wide x 37″ long, but of course you are welcome to up or downscale them – they’re just rectangles, after all. They’re made with a simple linen stitch that creates a woven look on one side and a nubbly texture on the other. And the pattern’s free – sweet!
The Yarn
Cascade Ultra Pimais a silky soft, light cotton. It’s easy to work with on both knitting needles or crochet hook. I often recommend it for baby blankets or afghans because it’s so soft and machine washable, and it doesn’t have the hardness or lack of give that’s common in so many cotton yarns.
I was so eager to share this project with you that I rephotographed the Cascade Ultra Pima (it was time). All the new images have been colour corrected, so they’re as close to the original as was possible … not an easy task with cotton, the light reflected off the surface makes it really tricky! Any old photos left are colours that were out of stock and couldn’t be photographed.
Photo: Purl Soho
Materials
Cascade Ultra Pima: 4 skeins in main colour, 1 skein in contrast colour (makes 2 hand towels, recommend 3718 Cream for main colour and 3764 Sunshine for contrast colour)
The following colours of Cascade Ultra Pima are all smashing combined with colour 3718 Cream:
3755 Tomato
3764 Sunshine
3833 Antique Moss
3845 Robin’s Egg Blue
3772 Cornflower
3759 Taupe
Alternate Yarns
Berroco Remix Light is also a great option! Because of it’s generous yardage You’ll need half as much yarn: 2 skeins of the main colour and 1 of the contrast will make two hand towels)
Photo: Purl Soho
Farmhouse Towels (Knit)
Make some towels that are so beautiful you’ll never want to use them! That’s ok, some things you use until they’re shredded, and some you keep out to please the eye. Both have their roles in our lives. The pattern is a FREEBIE, and makes for some simple, elegant summer knitting.
Quince & Co Sparrowis my favourite yarn for this project, I love how this linen looks, the silky feels after being washed, and also how resilient it is (it gets better going through the wash) . My second personal choice would be
Berroco Remix Light is the budget friendly, earth friendly, use-friendly option – it has so much yardage, two skeins of the main colour will make 3 towels, and 3 skeins will make 5. Plus it’s recycled, has a neat texture, is easy to knit with and wash.
Cascade Ultra Pima is the last on the list, but not the least. This silky smooth pima cotton is a staple, and is always a joy to knit with and wear. If you like a plain, flat aesthetic, this is your yarn of choice.
ALL OF THE YARN SUGGESTED ARE ON SALE TO AUG 14th!
Note: the pattern seems to have neglected to explain how to make an I-Cord (the loop at the tops of the cloth), so here is an I-cord tutorial for those of you who are not familiar with the technique. Alternately, you can skip the I-cord, make your cloth loop-free and just weave in your ends – there’s no rule that says a cloth must have a loop.
Size
Approximately 10 x 10 inches
Yarn Options
Main Colour: 100m required per washcloth. Contrast Colour: 24m required per washcloth.
Who wants to think about Fall when we’re in the middle of Summer? Me! When I saw Berroco Wizard I knew the projects were winners, and when the yarn for our store samples showed up I knew I’d be happy, but it wasn’t until I cast on that I realized it was BASHERT (a Yiddish term referring to something that is destined, like a soul mate).
I’m making Malou, a simple pullover (see below), in colour 2954 and it’s just sooooo gorgeous. It’s like if Noro and Missoni collaborated and said: “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if we could make everything Haley ever wanted in a yarn?!” I thought the colourway would work up looking more blue, but you know what – I don’t care! It’s GORGEOUS, it’s better than what I wanted it to be, it’s what I need.
Berroco Wizard is a super soft, light & happy bulky weight yarn. It stripes by itself, with bold colors flowing. It has a chainette construction which makes it feel deliciously airy and weightless. The consruction is also respinsible for it’s very generous 240m yardage – the same amount of a typical bulky weight yarn would normally be about 100m to 125m. Wizard is also machine washable, so it’s great for all kinds of projects including blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, mitts – even a cozy pair of -slipper-socks!
These kits as a special-order and we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis – you have the option to order it any time (it will be available to purchase as long as the manufacturer makes it available to us). Your kit will ship or be available for pick-up once it arrives, and we will contact you. If you need your kit for a specific date please let us know and we can find out if it’s feasible.
Aleid
Aleid is a simple stockinette hat and mitten set, perfect for gifting. Also a great beginner project! You can order the kit as just the hat, just mitts, or both.
Bente is a mosaic stitch blanket using one color of Wizard. Working from two balls simultaneously creates a dynamic color change throughout the blanket. Kits are available in both a throw size and a baby blanket size (see modifications below).
Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner (after scarves). (Mosaic stitch is an extremely easy form of colour knitting and only involves slipping stitches from the left needle to the right.
Skills: Knit, slipping stitches, following a pattern, alternating balls of yarn (carrying yarn up the side/stripes)
Malou is a simple pullover in Wizard, a great first sweater. Body and sleeves of this garment are worked in the round to underarms. Pieces are then joined and yoke is worked in the round to the neck
Skill Level:
Size
This sweater is designed cropped – to make yours longer please purchase an extra ball of yarn.
Sanne is a must-make cardigan with ¾ sleeves, pockets and cozy shawl collar. It’s a wear-every-day kind of sweater. Shoulders are shaped using short rows and are then joined using 3-needle bind-off. Sleeves are then picked up and worked down. The hem and sides are finished with an applied I-cord.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size
This sweater is designed cropped – to make yours longer please purchase an extra ball of yarn.
This will be the last project with Berroco Summer Sesame, I PROMISE! I just finished a new iteration of our Beach Wrap, this time made with some COLOUR to brighten things up. I was playing around with combining two multi-coloured yarns to see if I could take it to a greater depth, make it even more interesting, and of course knit the project up faster on larger needles. I held two strands of complementary colourways together, and just let them do their thing. You can also try holding two strands of the same colour but starting at different parts of the colourway.
Please see the notes below for a bit of strategy to help keep your colours consistent. When I started I was in a rush and I didn’t pay attention to where the yarn was in the colourway … when it was time to start the second balls of yarn my project evolved from a shawl into an exercise in letting go of expectations/the outcome/control and surrendering to the flow. Can you see in the picture above where things kind of shift? I like to think of it as a shawl of multiple possibilities, different paths and choices. When things just don’t want to go the way you wanted, the best thing you can do is let go and lean into the faith that life is working for your highest good (and maybe find the humility to accept that you may not know what that is).
The Beach Wrap has been a super popular project since its debut, and it makes a great canvas to paint on. It was created with accessibility in mind – I wanted it to be simple to knit, and incredibly wearable. The simple welted texture is random, completely reversible, and creates a classic, timeless look. The pattern is knitted on the bias, increasing in width as you go, so you can make it any size you like and you never have to worry about running out of yarn. We’ve written the pattern with a line-by-line chart, to help you keep track of your rows (a beneficial thing for everyone, but especially helpful for people with learning disabilities, brain fog, mommy brain, COVID brain, messy brain, etc). And the final bonus – it’s a FAST knit on 6.5mm/US10 (think quick gift)!
Notes
On this version we did three full pattern repeats, then worked 43 rows on the 4th repeat, then bound off. Our goal was to work until we ran out of yarn, which we did.
When you choose your yarn, try to choose skeins that start at or around the same point in the colourway.
When you start your project note whether you are taking the yarn from the inside or the outside of the skein, so you can do the same with the second ball.
If you want your dominant colour muted/toned down pair it with colour 5250 Sand
Berroco has sent us a Trunk show – a handful of their summer samples to explore, and they are here in store until June 13th! Its a great way to check out different yarns, see how they knit, and explore patterns you might not have considered otherwise.
It takes a loooong time to load a project up to our online store, so I’ve only put the projects that I think are really special. If you want to make one of the others just contact us and we’ll make that happen the older fashioned way.
Sapphire was my favourite new pattern for Spring/Summer this year from Berroco. It’s such a sweet and wearable little top that looks good on all types of bodies. It looks sweet over a summer dress, or you can wear it with pants, a skirt – it goes with everything. The pattern was designed with Berroco Vivo, but thre are lots of yarn options you can go for (see below for options). To make the arms longer pick-up the sleeves and knit down in pattern stitch to your desired length.
Sapphire is a classic dolman sleeve V-neck cardigan in an all-over textured stitch. Back, Right Front, and Left Front are each worked separately, with increases forming the dolman sleeves. Pieces are sewn together, then sleeve cuffs and button band are picked up and knit.
Size
Note: Since this garment has a dolman sleeve, the bust measurement is very forgiving. Go by the waist measurement when selecting your size.
Shown in size 36″ / 91.5 cm. Recommended ease: Approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.
The Yarn
Berroco Vivo is a bright and cheerful cotton yarn that features a delightful color flow. Tropical colors in a cottony soft fiber make it perfect for summer tops and accessories. Plus, it’s machine washable, making a great choice for summer tops!
Riveria is one of those simple summer knits you love making AND wearing. It’s made in one piece from the top-down with Berroco Pima Soft, a super-soft cloud cotton. To make longer sleeves just keep knitting down instead of making the ribbing.
Construction
Riveria is a cheerful, simple cotton tee with a lace yoke. It’s worked from the top-down, in the round, to underarms, then divided for body and sleeves. The body is worked in the round to lower edge (the lace yoke pattern is charted).
Berroco Pima Soft is a new, CRAZY SOFT, 2-ply yarn made with 100% pima cotton. It’s slightly textured, making it much more forgiving to knit with than a smooth cotton (which also makes weaving in ends and finishing easier). It’s perfect for anything you want to make, from tees, tanks, sweaters, chemo-hats, babies, blankets, cushions – you name it. It’s a DK weight (21 to 22 sts/4″ on a 3.75mm/US5 to 4mm/US6 needle) so it isn’t too heavy for warm weather or if your internal thermostat runs warm. It’s lovely for crochet and knitting, and is just right for all climates! It’s great for knitting and crochet, and I think it would also make a nice texture in a punch needle project.
Goshen is one of my favroutie samples that came with the trunk-show. It’s a strudly little purse-sized bag you can wear over your shoulder or across your body. The pattern is designed with Berroco Medina, but you can also use Berroco Summer Sesame (3 balls), which might be easier to work with because it has some texture. Additional yarn alternative are included below (should you want to make it a solid colour, or marled, etc). I would 100%, no question make this for myself and/or as a gift.
Warm colors ebb and flow in this long-color repeating yarn that is ideal for summer accessories and garments. Berroco Medina blends cotton, acrylic, and viscose in a DK-weight yarn with gorgeous colors.
37% Cotton, 36% Acrylic, 27% Viscose
100g/270m (295yds)
4mm/US6 needles
22 stitches & 28 rows = 4″ (10cm)
DK-Weight
Machine wash separately in cold water on delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry. Due to the print effect, some dye may release during washing and drying.
Keshi is a luxurious lace shawl that’s *surprise* worked in the round and cut open at the end! The cut stitches are then dropped and knotted to form fringe. Lace pattern is charted. Kit is $83.97 + tax and includes yarn & pattern.
A casual tee with a diamond lace motif and split hem. Back and Front hems are worked separately, then joined and the body is worked in the round to the underarms. Piece is then divided for back and front which are worked flat. Stitch patterns are charted.
Auden is an all-over lace cardigan. Worked from the bottom up, fronts and back are separated and stitches are cast on for the sleeves. The fit is a relaxed and flattering kind of piece. Stitch pattern is both charted and has written instructions.
Size
Bust: (37, 41, 44½) [48½, 52, 56, 60] {64½, 67½, 72}” / (94, 104, 113) [123, 132, 142, 152.5] {164, 171.5, 183} cm – This includes a 5″ / 12.5 cm opening at the center front.
The classic tee, updated: knit flat from sleeve to sleeve with a shaped hemline and relaxed fit. Just the kind of modern take on a traditional garment to carry you through the warm days of summer. Try substituting Berroco Summer Sesame for a fun, colourful effect!
This iteration of Sapphire was whipped up by Åsa Buchta, the garment designer. It was originally envisioned in Berroco’s new multicoloured summer yarn, Vivo, but a great design should be able to grow beyond its yarn. Åsa made a version of this wardrobe staple for herself using one of our summer staples, the very wearable and very affordable Berroco Remix Light(see below for more info on the yarn) – you can read more about her version on Berroco’s Blog. I think her sweater looks amazing over a summer dress, and I love that it looks great on bodies of all shapes and sizes (the pattern is VERY size-inclusive and goes up to a 76.5″ waist). For more yarn recommendations see below; the options aren’t endless, but they are definitely abundant!
FYI a real-world, physical sample of the original version of Sapphire will be visiting the store next week with Berroco’s Spring/Summer Trunk Show!
Sapphire is a classic dolman sleeve V-neck cardigan in an all-over textured stitch. The back, right front, and left front are each worked separately, with increases forming the dolman sleeves. The pieces are sewn together, then the sleeve cuffs and button band are picked up and knit. See Details on Ravelry
THE YARN
Berroco Remix Light is a multi-seasonal yarn that’s so comfortable you’ll find the garments made with it become some of your favourites (you know, the one you wear over and over and over again, until you get tired of the colour so you make another in a new colour … etc). It’s super soft, light, breathable, machine washable, and it’s made in France from an eco-friendly blend of 100% recycled fibres.
It’s great for people who are allergic to wool, and light enough for perfect for people whose bodies run warm and wearing a knit is more about dressing and less about warmth. Its popularity also stems from its INCREDIBLE yardage – it’s a DK weight yarn that comes in a 100g/400m skein (for those of you who don’t live in a yarn store, that’s like a bonus 150m to 200m). Remix Light is great for sweaters, tanks, tees, blankets, socks, scarves, shawls, bags, etc. It’s great for everyone: babies, kids, adults. It also works beautifully for colourwork, especially stranded/fair isle.
I don’t know why the formatting on this post went crazy … sometimes technology just doesn’t read our minds and things go sideways. I guess the way we choose to deal with the belly-flops is as important (if not more) than our successes? Anyway, that’s the story I’m telling myself today! So here is a re-run of our Playful Wrap, hopefully, the pictures will play nice this time. Have a great long weekend!
Playful
Playful is a great little project for travel or any other time when you want something portable and simple on your needles. It’s a little scarfy-shawly thing that works up quickly, making it very giftable and equally wearable. We used two contrasting colours of Berroco Summer Sesame (5238 Orchid, 5250 Sand) and took advantage of its natural self-striping abilities. The yarn’s texture also adds a little depth to the garter stitch, giving it a quasi-earthy richness (I love garter worked with textured yarns, they look so artisanal).
The Pattern is a freebie, and the project only requires one set of needles and two balls of yarn, so overall I think this project is an accessible little spring/summer treat.
The striping works best when your yarns have a decent amount of contrast. In our case, the purple yarn is a reasonable amount darker than the beige. Any of the colours available in BERROCO SUMMER SESAME will work well with 5250 Sand as a contrast – you can’t go wrong with a neutral!
If you use two colours that are too close in value (the amount of lightness or darkness) or colour then you won’t see your stripes. For example, 5249 Alloy (black), 5242 Ocean (dark blue), and 5238 Orchid are all very dark, and you won’t see much contrast if you combine any of them.
Neutral colours, like natural, beige, grey, and black are often ideal contrast colours. Dark blues like Navy can also make a very clever contrast colour.
Your reward for making it to the end… gratuitous bird photos! Never one to miss his 15 minutes of fame, Gru hopped up on the mannequin towards the end of the photography and made cute faces.
